Environmentally friendly can

ABSTRACT

An environmentally friendly can for containing a product includes a sealed container that contains the product and includes a polyester resin and a release mechanism to open the container and access the product. The polyester resin may be a furan resin selected from poly (ethylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF), poly (butylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PBF), poly (trim ethylene furan dicarboxylate) (PTF), poly (propylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF), and poly (neopentyl 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PNF); and/or a biodegradable polyester resin such as polyglycolic acid (PGA). The can may further include a generally cylindrical shell molded to have a sealed bottom and a straight wall that includes the resin; and a cap to seal the shell, the cap having the release mechanism and a rim that includes the resin; wherein the rim of the cap is bonded to the wall of the shell to releasably seal the product inside the can.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/101,505, filed Aug. 12, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.11,434,037, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to beverage container andspecifically to an environmentally friendly can from polyesters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a desire to make products that are environmentally friendly,from plant materials that are compostable, which thus can lead to zerowaste, thereby reducing waste.

Traditionally, many drinks and beverages such as soft drinks, water,juices, wine, beer, and milk have been supplied in glass, plastic oraluminum bottles or aluminum cans. However, these glass, plastic andaluminum can materials require much more energy than bioplasticmaterials to be made into bottles or cans. In the last decade, there hasbeen an increased interest from the food packaging industry toward thedevelopment and application of bioplastics, to contribute to thesustainable economy and to reduce the huge environmental problemafflicting the planet.

In embodiments of the present work, we focus on a new furan-basedpolyester, namely, poly (ethylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF), poly(butylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PBF), poly (trim ethylene furandicarboxylate) (PTF), poly (propylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF),and poly (neopentyl 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PNF), to be used forsustainable food packaging applications.

Furan moieties may have thermal stability characterized by a higher Tgand Tm. Furan moieties may include PNF, which has a low RAF fractioncompared to poly (propylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) [alsocalled-furanoate] (PPF), ascribable to the two methyl side groupspresent in PNF glycol-sub-unit. PNF's mechanical characteristics, i.e.,very high elastic modulus and brittle fracture, low resistance toenvironmental stress cracking, drop impact performance were found to besuperior to those of PPF and PEF. Barrier properties to different gases,temperatures and relative humidity were evaluated. From the resultsobtained, PNF was showed to be a material with superior barrierperformances, significantly superior with respect to PEF's ones. PNF'spermeability behavior did not appreciably change after contact with foodsimulants. The furan moieties are not necessarily biodegradable, but maybe recyclable. Because of these properties, furan resins may be superiorto aluminum for making cans.

A user may derive the furan based resins from plants. Aluminum may bemelted at 2000 degrees F. to recycle. Furan requires 300 degrees toreturn back to resin. A product made with a combination of furan-basedresin and Aluminum could be recycled as is currently done with Aluminumcans.

It would be desirable to have a can that includes resin that can berecycled.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a can for containing a productincludes a sealed container that contains the product and includes apolyester resin. The polyester resin may be a furan resin selected from:poly (ethylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF), poly (butylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) (PBF), poly (trim ethylene furan dicarboxylate)(PTF), poly (propylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF), and poly(neopentyl 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PNF) and/or may be polyglycolicacid (PGA). The product may have a release mechanism to open thecontainer and access the product.

In another aspect of the present invention, the can further includes agenerally cylindrical shell molded to have a sealed bottom and astraight wall that includes the furan resin; and a cap to seal theshell, the cap having the release mechanism and a rim that includes thefuran resin; wherein the rim of the cap is bonded to the wall of theshell to releasably seal the product inside the can.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing acan with a product includes providing a polyester resin; injectionmolding a generally cylindrical shell having a sealed bottom and astraight wall that includes the furan resin; forming a cap having arelease mechanism and a rim that includes the furan resin; placing theproduct in the shell; and bonding the cap to the shell, therebyreleasably sealing the product in the can. The polyester resin may be afuran resin selected from PEF, PBF, PTF, PPF, and PNF, and/or may bePGA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a can according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a hollow shell with closed and open endaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of an embodiment of cap according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view the cap of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of the can of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 depicts an upper portion of the can of FIG. 1 in the openposition;

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a cap and hollow shell engagementaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 depicts a can containing product according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, which can be used inindustry and include the best mode now known of carrying out theinvention, are hereby described in detail with reference to thedrawings. Further embodiments, features and advantages will becomeapparent from the ensuing description, or may be learned without undueexperimentation. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, exceptwhere otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments,even if phrased in terms of “the invention” or what the embodiment “is,”is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but describes the manner andprocess of making and using the invention. The coverage of this patentwill be described in the claims. The order in which steps are listed inthe claims does not necessarily indicate that the steps must beperformed in that order.

The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, which can be used inindustry and include the best mode now known of carrying out theinvention, are hereby described in detail with reference to thedrawings. Further embodiments, features and advantages will becomeapparent from the ensuing description, or may be learned without undueexperimentation. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, exceptwhere otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments,even if phrased in terms of “the invention” or what the embodiment “is,”is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but describes the manner andprocess of making and using the invention. The coverage of this patentwill be described in the claims. The order in which steps are listed inthe claims does not necessarily indicate that the steps must beperformed in that order.

The present invention relates to a polyester resin based beveragecontainer made into a can. Embodiments may include a package and amethod of forming a package. The invention may relate to a package thatis easily disposable, and is recyclable.

Embodiments of the present invention may include polyester, namely, poly(ethylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF), poly (butylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) and poly (trim ethylene furan dicarboxylate) (PTF),poly (propylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF), poly (neopentyl 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PNF), polyglycolic acid (PGA), to be used forsustainable food packaging applications. These aromatic polyesters maybe successfully synthesized with high molecular weight, through asolvent-free process, starting directly from 2, 5-furandicarboxylicacid. Polyglycolic acid (PGA) is a biodegradable polyester resin.

Embodiments of an environmentally friendly can and cap may be blowmolded, injection molded or extruded into any desired shaped can andcap.

Embodiments may include an ultra-thin lining or pouch from a renewableresource, to help reduce the carbon footprint of non biodegradablematerial.

In accordance with a general aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a can comprising a hollow shell defining the can body andincluding an opening, and a bottom. The can is secured by a cap on theoutside of the shell. The cap may be made from the same polyester resin.The wall thickness of the hollow shell can vary from 0.4 to 2 mm and thecap thickness can vary from 0.8 to 2.5 mm.

Embodiments of a cap may be made from a furan resin. Embodiments of acap may be injection blow molded in the shape required and in a designwith an outlet opening which can be a standard stay-on tab end releasemechanism. Embodiments of an outlet opening may have a larger design,for easier drinking and pouring. A cap assembly may be bonded andpermanently secured to an open end of the hollow shell ridge after theshell has product placed in it. A circular spin welding machine achievesbonding or bio based glue can be used to achieve an air tight joint. Thetop open ridge of a hollow shell ridge and the lower ridge of the capmay be heat seamed by the circular spin welding machine or can be gluedusing a bio based glue. The cap may be designed to have an air tightseal.

Embodiments of a container may have a wall and a cap that meet moistureresistant or waterproof or gas permeation requirements or both. Thecontainer may hold liquids or solids that are sensitive to moisture andwater vapor permeation, or gas permeation for gasses such as oxygen andcarbon dioxide.

Embodiments of a cap opening may be of different styles includingstandard stay on tab, ring pull tab or peal tub allowing for easy andcomfortable pouring, dispensing or drinking.

In one embodiment, a can may be manufactured by blow molding a shell or“preform,” then cutting off the top. A release mechanism could then beattached to the fully pre-formed shell. A slug or preform made fromfuran-based resin may be heated to just below the melting point. Theform may be stretched and blow molded in a case, so that the form takesthe shape of the case. The top part of the formed slug may be cut off,leaving only the shell with a curved open end. Because of the built-inrim, the shell will curve in toward the shell's center, near the top ofthe shell. The can may be filled with product, and a lid with a releasemechanism may be added to the shell and sealed to the top.

In a second embodiment of a can, a shell may be injection molded and acap having a release mechanism for opening the cap may be madeseparately, and the cap may be attached to the shell by a circularwelding machine for plastic. Such a process may require more steps thanthe first embodiment, but may be more cost effective.

A polyester-based resin may be used in an injection mold machine toprepare a shell. The resin may be melted and injected under pressureinto an injection mold, to produce a generally cylindrical shell with asealed bottom. The shell may be a cylinder with a hollow body that is beopen at one end, and have straight sides or a circular wall with noshoulder, to facilitate ejection of the shell from the mold.

An embodiment of a cap having a top and bottom may also be injectionmolded from a polyester-based resin. A first side of the cap may includea rim having a shape that corresponds to the upper opening of the shell,and a second side of the cap may include a release mechanism. The rimmay include a shoulder that flares or curves from the attachment pointon the bottom for the shell to the release mechanism on the top. Therelease mechanism may also be made of polyester-based resin, or mayinclude other materials such as Aluminum, or both. The shell may befilled with product, and the cap may be welded to the open end of theshell with a circular welding machine for plastic.

Embodiments of a cap may be made of the same material as the shell, or adifferent material such as aluminum can be utilized. Aluminum can berecycled. Aluminum may be melted at 2000 degrees F. to recycle. Furanrequires 300 degrees to return back to resin. A user may derive thefuran based resin from plants, and then recycle the entire item as iscurrently done with Aluminum cans.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a can 1 with a generally cylindricalmain body. The can may partially or entirely consist of polyester resin.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a hollow shell 2 with an upper opening 3and lower closed bottom 4. This hollow shell 2 may be stretch blowmolded from a preform (a small plastic tube or hollow shell) and the topof the preform removed to achieve the hollow cylindrical shell with anopen and closed end. Embodiments may be injection molded or extruded.

Embodiments of the closed bottom 4 may have a flat bottom of a concaveshape to allow for expansion of contents.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict an embodiment of a cap 7 having a rim 6 and arelease mechanism 5. Rim 6 may have a shoulder 9 that flares in from thebottom of the rim to the release mechanism 5. Release mechanism 5 mayinclude an outlet opening 8 and a lever 10. Release mechanism 5 may beinjection molded or extruded, and may include polyester-based resin oraluminum or both.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a hollow shell 2, rim 6 and releasemechanism 5. The rim 6 and the release mechanism 5 may be attachedtogether to assemble a cap, the shell 2 can be filled with content, andthen the cap can be welded onto the shell 2.

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a can that has been opened. The outletopening 11 may be opened by upward movement of the lever 10.

FIG. 7 depicts a cap and hollow shell engagement having a rim 6 with anair tight lip. Embodiments of a rim 6 may provide a shoulder 9 betweenrelease mechanism 5 and hollow shell 2. Embodiments of rim 6 may includeair tight mechanisms 12 and 15 between the flat part of releasemechanism 5 and the top part of rim 6. The adhesion may be achieved by abio based glue or by circular or spin welding machine.

As depicted in FIG. 8 , can 1 may have a releasably sealed interiorcavity that holds fluids 13 and air or gas 14. To provide a product, apolyester resin is stretch blow molded from a preform, injection moldedor by an extrusion process.

An environmentally friendly can from polyesters that are recyclable may5 include a shell defining a hollow body of the can and a wall of theshell that includes a resin; and a polyester based cap. When the hollowshell and cap are assembled and attached and air tight can is formed.

What is claimed:
 1. A container for containing a product, the containercomprising: a shell comprising a first end defining an opening and asecond end that is sealed, the shell configured to contain the productand comprising a polyester resin; a cap coupled to the first end of theshell said cap comprising: a rim comprising (i) a first air tightmechanism and (ii) a second air tight mechanism, the first air tightmechanism being different than the second airtight mechanism; a releasemechanism coupled to the rim and attached via bio based glue at thefirst air tight mechanism and the second air tight mechanism; and arelease lever configured to open the container; wherein the cap iscoupled to the shell using one or more of spin welding or a bio basedglue.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the shell is a cylindricalshell comprising a sealed bottom and a wall.
 3. The container of claim2, wherein the rim of the cap narrows near the top portion of the capand the rim is coupled to the wall of the shell.
 4. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the lever is configured to lift to puncture the capthereby opening the container.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein thepolyester resin is a furan resin selected from the group consisting of:poly (ethylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF), poly (butylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) (PBF), poly (trimethylene furan dicarboxylate)(PTF), poly (propylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF), and poly(neopentyl 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PNF).
 6. The container of claim 5,wherein the furan resin is PEF.
 7. The container of claim 5, wherein thefuran resin is PBF.
 8. The container of claim 5, wherein the furan resinis PTF.
 9. The container of claim 5, wherein the furan resin is PPF. 10.The container of claim 5, wherein the furan resin is PNF.
 11. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the polyester resin is polyglycolic acid(PGA).
 12. The container of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a furanresin selected from the group consisting of: poly (ethylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF), poly (butylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PBF),poly (trimethylene furan dicarboxylate) (PTF), poly (propylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF), and poly (neopentyl 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PNF).
 13. The container of claim 1, wherein thecap comprises polyglycolic acid (PGA).
 14. A method for providing acontainer for containing a product, comprising: selecting a shellcomprising a first end defining an opening and a second end that issealed, the shell comprising a polyester resin; selecting a capcomprising a rim comprising a first air tight mechanism and a second airtight mechanism, the first air tight mechanism being different than thesecond airtight mechanism, a release mechanism including a release levercoupled to the rim, wherein said release mechanism is adapted to conformto the first air tight mechanism and the second air tight mechanism;coupling the release mechanism to the rim using bio based glue at thefirst and second air tight mechanisms; and coupling the cap to the shellusing one or more of bio based glue or spin welding.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the shell is formed by injection molding.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the shell is formed by extrusion.
 17. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the shell is a cylindrical shell comprisinga sealed bottom and a wall.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein thepolyester resin is a furan resin selected from the group consisting of:poly (ethylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF), poly (butylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) (PBF), poly (trimethylene furan dicarboxylate)(PTF), poly (propylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF), and poly(neopentyl 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PNF).
 19. The method of claim 14,wherein the polyester resin is polyglycolic acid (PGA).
 20. The methodof claim 14, wherein the cap comprises a polyester resin selected fromthe group consisting of: poly (ethylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF),poly (butylene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) (PBF), poly (trimethylene furandicarboxylate) (PTF), poly (propylene 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF),poly (neopentyl 2, 5-furandicarboxylate) (PNF), and polyglycolic acid(PGA).